When Jordan Thompson walked into BTD more than two decades ago, he didn\u2019t know he was starting a family legacy. He simply wanted a welding job close to the area where he grew up. But 23 years later, his own journey through welding, supervision, manufacturing leadership, and now quality management has paved the way for something bigger \u2014 the kind of workplace where his kids, Mackenzie and Conner, would eventually find their own footing and their own futures.<\/p>\n
Long before he became Quality ISO Manager, Jordan spotted a job posting in the Otter Tail County Midweek<\/em> and decided to apply. Fresh out of NDSCS with welding experience building car trailers and bulk fuel tanks, he took the leap into a company he\u2019d never heard of \u2014 but one that would become a major part of his life.<\/p>\n Years later, both of his kids found themselves at a similar crossroads. Mackenzie wasn\u2019t sure what she wanted to do after high school, and Conner was in the same boat. Each time, Jordan mentioned BTD. Not as a push \u2014 but as a possibility.<\/p>\n \u201cGive it a try,\u201d he told them.<\/p>\n And they did.<\/p>\n Jordan came in with six years of welding experience but no familiarity with BTD. Mackenzie and Conner knew even less \u2014 just bits they\u2019d picked up from their dad, and a general sense that BTD made parts for companies like Polaris. Everything else, they learned by stepping onto the floor, seeing the pace and pride firsthand, and discovering how many products begin with the parts made right inside those walls.<\/p>\n What all three Thompsons found was community.<\/p>\n For Mackenzie, it was the way her shift operates like a safety net. \u201cIf I need help on anything, everyone is willing to help,\u201d she said. Even people she doesn\u2019t know well jump in without hesitation. That level of reliability makes coming to work feel easier.<\/p>\n Conner shared the same experience. The people, he said, are the best part of his shift, friendly, helpful, steady.<\/p>\n Jordan\u2019s favorite part of his job changed as his career grew. He started on second shift as a hand welder, moved to third shift to learn setups, and eventually transitioned to days, where he stepped into shift leadership. From there, the opportunities kept building \u2014 first welding supervision, then robotic welding, and later manufacturing leadership, overseeing Tubing, Fabrication, Machining, Hand Welding, and Robot Welding. His journey ultimately led him into quality, where he now serves as Quality ISO Manager.<\/p>\n Each step stretched him. Each role demanded new skills. And each challenge \u2014 in his words \u2014 \u201chelped fast-track my development at BTD.\u201d<\/p>\n For the Thompsons, the answer varies \u2014 but all roads lead back to opportunity.<\/p>\n Jordan points to the constant room to grow. Whether it was training, mentorship, or simply the chance to apply for new roles, he credits BTD with pushing him to expand what he thought he was capable of.<\/p>\n Mackenzie loves the variety: every day brings something new, from new parts to new projects. \u201cYou never know what you\u2019ll be doing until you get started,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n For Conner, it\u2019s the culture, including the friendliness, the willingness to help, the sense that you\u2019re never on your own.<\/p>\n Together, they represent three different entry points into BTD. And all three show the same thing: it\u2019s a place where you can begin without knowing exactly what comes next and end up building a career you\u2019re proud of.<\/p>\n Off the clock, the Thompson household is outdoors whenever they can be; hunting, fishing, and spending time with friends and family. It\u2019s a thread all three share, another tie that connects their work lives to their home lives.<\/p>\n The Thompson family\u2019s story reflects what makes BTD special. It\u2019s not one path, it\u2019s many. It\u2019s mentors, training, technology, teamwork, and the confidence that you can keep growing if you keep showing up. Whether you\u2019re a seasoned welder or a recent graduate searching for your next step, BTD is the kind of place where careers take shape, sometimes one family member at a time.<\/p>\nWhat did you know about manufacturing\/BTD before you started?<\/h2>\n
What do you like best about your role, shift, or team?<\/h2>\n
What makes BTD a great place to build a career?<\/h2>\n
Life outside work<\/h2>\n